Big-money push for gambling expansion waits, eyes 2016

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August 24, 2015

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As the Alabama Legislature moves closer to the second Special Session, one possible solution to the predicted General Fund budget shortfall was seemingly taken off the table when Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh announced he would not push a statewide gambling and lottery bill.

During 2015’s Regular and first Special Sessions, the Senate leader sponsored legislation expanding table gaming, as well as a constitutional amendment on a state lottery. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) has stood staunchly against the proposals, favoring tax increases to balance the General Fund budget.

“The governor said in the last Special Session that ‘gambling got in the way,’” Sen. Marsh told Yellowhammer Monday morning. “I’m taking that argument off the table. I’ve decided not to offer the legislation, although I think it’s a choice the people of the state want. I think people want to make the decision on gaming once and for all. That’s something that the people could make a choice on that provides future revenue without raising taxes.”

Marsh said taking gambling out of the mix essentially leaves the Legislature with three choices: cut General Fund departments, raise taxes, or shift revenue from the Education Trust Fund.

“Those are your choices,” he explained. “It will be interesting to see where the appetite is when we get in,” adding that he believes the votes for tax increases simply “aren’t there” in the Senate.

Sen. Marsh did, however, intimate that the gaming issue wasn’t dead, signaling his support for another bill in the Special Session or 2016’s Regular Session.

Senator Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville) is reportedly introducing a lottery bill of his own, a proposal Marsh said he wouldn’t block.

“The lottery legislation was a piece of my gaming proposal, so I have no problem bringing that to the people for a vote. If that’s the piece the Senate decides to go with, then I’m not going to stop them.”

The 2nd 2015 Special Session is expected to be called within the next two weeks. The new fiscal year begins October 1st.